Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 6 August 2025 in response to Question 68153.

The UK is concerned by the treatment of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan, including those detained for the peaceful exercise of their beliefs. We condemn the persecution of the Ahmadi community and continue to monitor the situation closely, including reports of discrimination, misuse of blasphemy laws and restrictions on freedom of expression. We regularly raise our concerns with the Government of Pakistan and urge it to uphold its international human rights obligations, including the rights of all religious minorities. We will continue to press for the protection of freedom of religion or belief for all in Pakistan.

The UK is concerned by the treatment of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan, including those detained for the peaceful exercise of their beliefs. We condemn the persecution of the Ahmadi community and continue to monitor the situation closely, including reports of discrimination, misuse of blasphemy laws and restrictions on freedom of expression. We regularly raise our concerns with the Government of Pakistan and urge it to uphold its international human rights obligations, including the rights of all religious minorities. We will continue to press for the protection of freedom of religion or belief for all in Pakistan.

The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all in Pakistan, and we regularly raise the rights and safety of religious minorities with the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels. UK assistance to Pakistan is delivered through trusted partners, subject to due diligence and regularly reviewed; it supports work that promotes interfaith dialogue and tackles online hate speech, helping protect vulnerable minority communities. We will continue to urge Pakistan to guarantee the rights of all people in accordance with international standards.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 29 October 2025 to Question 83844.

The Media reports that the Honourable Member refers to are misleading. The International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Cell has moved, not closed. As part of an internal restructure, the Cell and its functions continue to operate from within a different team in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The work of the FCDO assessing IHL risks arising from the conflict in Gaza is not being discontinued. The FCDO continues to draw on a range of sources and expertise to inform its assessments and approach to IHL issues, and we also continue to retain access to all FCDO-funded research previously carried out into alleged IHL violations.

We are in the process of reforming the FCDO to build a more capable, agile and resilient organisation that can respond quickly to changing challenges and crises, and operate effectively within the financial constraints that we are operating under in this spending review period. This process inevitably involves the restructuring of teams across the FCDO to deliver our objectives in a more streamlined and better-integrated way. It is important that Honourable Members do not mistake any changes of structure and nomenclature for changes in the priority that we attach to different issues and responsibilities, especially in areas as critical as this.

IHL assessments support UK export licensing decisions. On the delivery and oversight of UK funded humanitarian assistance in Gaza, we continue to call for urgent action to open all the crossings, lift restrictions and flood Gaza with aid.

The Media reports that the Honourable Member refers to are misleading. The International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Cell has moved, not closed. As part of an internal restructure, the Cell and its functions continue to operate from within a different team in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The work of the FCDO assessing IHL risks arising from the conflict in Gaza is not being discontinued. The FCDO continues to draw on a range of sources and expertise to inform its assessments and approach to IHL issues, and we also continue to retain access to all FCDO-funded research previously carried out into alleged IHL violations.

We are in the process of reforming the FCDO to build a more capable, agile and resilient organisation that can respond quickly to changing challenges and crises, and operate effectively within the financial constraints that we are operating under in this spending review period. This process inevitably involves the restructuring of teams across the FCDO to deliver our objectives in a more streamlined and better-integrated way. It is important that Honourable Members do not mistake any changes of structure and nomenclature for changes in the priority that we attach to different issues and responsibilities, especially in areas as critical as this.

IHL assessments support UK export licensing decisions. On the delivery and oversight of UK funded humanitarian assistance in Gaza, we continue to call for urgent action to open all the crossings, lift restrictions and flood Gaza with aid.

The UK's longstanding and principled objection to Item 7 remains unchanged. Item 7 unfairly and uniquely singles out the State of Israel in comparison to other countries. The UK will continue to argue for the removal of Item 7 and to push for issues related to Israel-Palestine to be discussed under alternative agenda items.

We believe that engaging in negotiations, including abstaining where we judge appropriate, while making clear our principled opposition to Item 7, is more likely to secure UK influence over the texts. This is the approach that the UK maintained between 2006 and 2018 and is in line with the approach taken by many European partners.

UK Ministers regularly engage with the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council, to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest and concern.

We read the UN report with great concern. The finding that more than 38,000 women and girls have been killed in the conflict is both devastating and appalling. Through our humanitarian and early recovery programmes, we are addressing the specific needs of women and girls as a priority, for example by supporting trusted humanitarian partners to expand protection and gender-based violence response services. We are clear that the Government of Israel must fully abide by its obligations to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, in accordance with international law.

We read the UN report with great concern. The finding that more than 38,000 women and girls have been killed in the conflict is both devastating and appalling. Through our humanitarian and early recovery programmes, we are addressing the specific needs of women and girls as a priority, for example by supporting trusted humanitarian partners to expand protection and gender-based violence response services. We are clear that the Government of Israel must fully abide by its obligations to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, in accordance with international law.

We read the UN report with great concern. The finding that more than 38,000 women and girls have been killed in the conflict is both devastating and appalling. Through our humanitarian and early recovery programmes, we are addressing the specific needs of women and girls as a priority, for example by supporting trusted humanitarian partners to expand protection and gender-based violence response services. We are clear that the Government of Israel must fully abide by its obligations to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, in accordance with international law.

We remain deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Since the start of the regional conflict, there has been a significant reduction in the volume of aid entering Gaza, whilst long standing restrictions persist. This is unacceptable and risks undermining progress made since the ceasefire. Despite this, UK support is making a real difference on the ground in Gaza. For instance, UK-Med field hospitals are providing health care to thousands and United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) health teams have been carrying out vital catch-up vaccinations.

We are clear that the Government of Israel must fully abide by their obligations to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, in accordance with international law. We continue to raise this issue with our Israeli counterparts, including the need to ensure that international NGOs can operate in a sustained and predictable way. We will continue to support international NGOs and UN agencies, including UNRWA, which are indispensable to both the immediate humanitarian response and longer term recovery efforts in Palestine.

We remain deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Since the start of the regional conflict, there has been a significant reduction in the volume of aid entering Gaza, whilst long standing restrictions persist. This is unacceptable and risks undermining progress made since the ceasefire. Despite this, UK support is making a real difference on the ground in Gaza. For instance, UK-Med field hospitals are providing health care to thousands and United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) health teams have been carrying out vital catch-up vaccinations.

We are clear that the Government of Israel must fully abide by their obligations to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, in accordance with international law. We continue to raise this issue with our Israeli counterparts, including the need to ensure that international NGOs can operate in a sustained and predictable way. We will continue to support international NGOs and UN agencies, including UNRWA, which are indispensable to both the immediate humanitarian response and longer term recovery efforts in Palestine.

I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided in response to Questions HL16595-99 on 29 April.

I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided in response to Questions HL16595-99 on 29 April.

I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided in response to Questions HL16595-99 on 29 April.

I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided in response to Questions HL16595-99 on 29 April.

I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided in response to Questions HL16595-99 on 29 April.

The UK Government firmly believes that mobilising private capital is critical to raise the finance needed to achieve our development and climate objectives and helping drive economic growth both in developing economies and at home here in the UK. That is why the UK is shifting from donor to investor and the International Financial Institutions are among our most important partners for mobilising private capital at scale.

We have regular engagement with them both through our representation on their Boards and through Ministerial engagement, such as at the recent World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spring Meetings, which the Chancellor and Minister for Development both attended.

We want to support Multilateral Development Banks to reform their business model to further scale financing to developing countries, help build strong project pipelines and mitigate risks to attract more private capital. We also want them to help improve investment conditions and build local financial sector and local currency markets and to share more data on their investments.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 1 April in response to Question 122705.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

I refer the Hon Member to the evidence provided to the Foreign Affairs Committee by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on 27 April, linked to below for ease: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/78/foreign-affairs-committee/news/213349/foreign-affairs-committee-publishes-fcdo-response-in-consultation-with-ian-collard/.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 9 March in response to Question HL14926.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 23 July 2025 in response to Question HL9318.

The UK is deeply concerned about the humanitarian impact of ongoing hostilities on civilians, particularly children in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon. Last financial year, the UK provided £81 million of humanitarian and early recovery support to Palestine, including £9.7 million for UNICEF to support the provision of ready-to-use infant formula, water, sanitation and hygiene services, psychosocial services for children, and social protection for children. We continue to call on the Government of Israel to fully enable the UN and other humanitarian organisations to deliver essential humanitarian aid. The UK has also provided £30 million of vital humanitarian funding to Lebanon to support those most in need during the current crisis.

The UK is deeply concerned about the humanitarian impact of ongoing hostilities on civilians, particularly children in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon. Last financial year, the UK provided £81 million of humanitarian and early recovery support to Palestine, including £9.7 million for UNICEF to support the provision of ready-to-use infant formula, water, sanitation and hygiene services, psychosocial services for children, and social protection for children. We continue to call on the Government of Israel to fully enable the UN and other humanitarian organisations to deliver essential humanitarian aid. The UK has also provided £30 million of vital humanitarian funding to Lebanon to support those most in need during the current crisis.

The UK is deeply concerned about the humanitarian impact of ongoing hostilities on civilians, particularly children in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon. Last financial year, the UK provided £81 million of humanitarian and early recovery support to Palestine, including £9.7 million for UNICEF to support the provision of ready-to-use infant formula, water, sanitation and hygiene services, psychosocial services for children, and social protection for children. We continue to call on the Government of Israel to fully enable the UN and other humanitarian organisations to deliver essential humanitarian aid. The UK has also provided £30 million of vital humanitarian funding to Lebanon to support those most in need during the current crisis.

The UK has not made its own estimates, but the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has published figures - based on data from the Lebanese Ministry of Health - stating that more than 2,000 people have so far been killed in Lebanon, including at least 172 children and 91 healthcare workers, with more than 7,000 others injured, as of 21 April.

The UNHCR further report that, since early March, over one million people have been displaced across Lebanon, with more than 140,000 individuals currently staying in Government designated collective shelters. Over 280,000 people are reported to have crossed into Syria through the three official border crossings, including almost 238,000 Syrians and around 44,000 Lebanese.

On the UK's support for families displaced by the conflict, I refer the Noble Lord to the answer I gave on 29 April in response to Question HL16505.

The UK has not made its own estimates, but the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has published figures - based on data from the Lebanese Ministry of Health - stating that more than 2,000 people have so far been killed in Lebanon, including at least 172 children and 91 healthcare workers, with more than 7,000 others injured, as of 21 April.

The UNHCR further report that, since early March, over one million people have been displaced across Lebanon, with more than 140,000 individuals currently staying in Government designated collective shelters. Over 280,000 people are reported to have crossed into Syria through the three official border crossings, including almost 238,000 Syrians and around 44,000 Lebanese.

On the UK's support for families displaced by the conflict, I refer the Noble Lord to the answer I gave on 29 April in response to Question HL16505.

The UK has not made its own estimates, but the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has published figures - based on data from the Lebanese Ministry of Health - stating that more than 2,000 people have so far been killed in Lebanon, including at least 172 children and 91 healthcare workers, with more than 7,000 others injured, as of 21 April.

The UNHCR further report that, since early March, over one million people have been displaced across Lebanon, with more than 140,000 individuals currently staying in Government designated collective shelters. Over 280,000 people are reported to have crossed into Syria through the three official border crossings, including almost 238,000 Syrians and around 44,000 Lebanese.

On the UK's support for families displaced by the conflict, I refer the Noble Lord to the answer I gave on 29 April in response to Question HL16505.

The UK has not made its own estimates, but the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has published figures - based on data from the Lebanese Ministry of Health - stating that more than 2,000 people have so far been killed in Lebanon, including at least 172 children and 91 healthcare workers, with more than 7,000 others injured, as of 21 April.

The UNHCR further report that, since early March, over one million people have been displaced across Lebanon, with more than 140,000 individuals currently staying in Government designated collective shelters. Over 280,000 people are reported to have crossed into Syria through the three official border crossings, including almost 238,000 Syrians and around 44,000 Lebanese.

On the UK's support for families displaced by the conflict, I refer the Noble Lord to the answer I gave on 29 April in response to Question HL16505.

The UK has not made its own estimates, but the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has published figures - based on data from the Lebanese Ministry of Health - stating that more than 2,000 people have so far been killed in Lebanon, including at least 172 children and 91 healthcare workers, with more than 7,000 others injured, as of 21 April.

The UNHCR further report that, since early March, over one million people have been displaced across Lebanon, with more than 140,000 individuals currently staying in Government designated collective shelters. Over 280,000 people are reported to have crossed into Syria through the three official border crossings, including almost 238,000 Syrians and around 44,000 Lebanese.

On the UK's support for families displaced by the conflict, I refer the Noble Lord to the answer I gave on 29 April in response to Question HL16505.

The UK has engaged in long-standing cooperation with Tunisia across a range of areas, in particular in relation to defence and security. We support the strengthening of Tunisia's capabilities to contribute to regional stability, including through its UN peacekeeping role in Africa. Tunisia is also a Mediterranean Dialogue partner for NATO. The visit of the Defence Senior Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa's (DSAME) in February 2025 included senior level discussions on how to strengthen cooperation moving forward. Bilateral UK-Tunisia defence cooperation is delivered in full compliance with international standards and principles.

As with all countries, we keep our travel advice to Tunisia under regular review.

The UK has engaged in long-standing cooperation with Tunisia across a range of areas, in particular in relation to defence and security. We support the strengthening of Tunisia's capabilities to contribute to regional stability, including through its UN peacekeeping role in Africa. Tunisia is also a Mediterranean Dialogue partner for NATO. The visit of the Defence Senior Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa's (DSAME) in February 2025 included senior level discussions on how to strengthen cooperation moving forward. Bilateral UK-Tunisia defence cooperation is delivered in full compliance with international standards and principles.

As with all countries, we keep our travel advice to Tunisia under regular review.

The UK has engaged in long-standing cooperation with Tunisia across a range of areas, in particular in relation to defence and security. We support the strengthening of Tunisia's capabilities to contribute to regional stability, including through its UN peacekeeping role in Africa. Tunisia is also a Mediterranean Dialogue partner for NATO. The visit of the Defence Senior Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa's (DSAME) in February 2025 included senior level discussions on how to strengthen cooperation moving forward. Bilateral UK-Tunisia defence cooperation is delivered in full compliance with international standards and principles.

As with all countries, we keep our travel advice to Tunisia under regular review.

I refer the Hon. Member to my statement on gov.uk marking the one‑year anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime and the written ministerial statement to both Houses on 22 October, which can be found respectively at the following links: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/minister-falconer-article-on-syria-anniversary-december-2025 and https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-10-22/hcws977

These set out, respectively, the UK's support for the efforts of the new Syrian government to build a more stable, inclusive, and representative country and the decision that the Government came to on de‑proscription. I emphasised the importance of inclusive political transition during President Al Sharaa's visit on 31 March.

I refer the Hon. Member to my statement on gov.uk marking the one‑year anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime and the written ministerial statement to both Houses on 22 October, which can be found respectively at the following links: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/minister-falconer-article-on-syria-anniversary-december-2025 and https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-10-22/hcws977

These set out, respectively, the UK's support for the efforts of the new Syrian government to build a more stable, inclusive, and representative country and the decision that the Government came to on de‑proscription. I emphasised the importance of inclusive political transition during President Al Sharaa's visit on 31 March.